# Leveraging Lecture Content for Improved Feedback: Explorations with GPT-4 and Retrieval Augmented Generation

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.06681 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.06681/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in RAG pipeline design and evaluation, one of 15 directions in Retrieval-augmented generation.
- Builds on 16 of its 24 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 5 May 2024.

## Placed in

- Retrieval-augmented generation / [RAG pipeline design and evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/rag/rag-pipeline-design-and-evaluation/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 16 of 16)

- [GPT-4 Technical Report](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.08774/) (2023)
- [Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Knowledge-Intensive NLP Tasks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.11401/) (2020)
- [ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.03629/) (2022)
- [Robust Speech Recognition via Large-Scale Weak Supervision](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.04356/) (2022)
- [Sparks of Artificial General Intelligence: Early experiments with GPT-4](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.12712/) (2023)
- [Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Large Language Models: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.10997/) (2023)
- [Can Generalist Foundation Models Outcompete Special-Purpose Tuning? Case Study in Medicine](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.16452/) (2023)
- [Automatic Generation of Programming Exercises and Code Explanations using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.11861/) (2022)
- [The Robots are Here: Navigating the Generative AI Revolution in Computing Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.00658/) (2023)
- [CodeAid: Evaluating a Classroom Deployment of an LLM-based Programming Assistant that Balances Student and Educator Needs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.11314/) (2024)
- [Exploring the Responses of Large Language Models to Beginner Programmers' Help Requests](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.05715/) (2023)
- [Automating Human Tutor-Style Programming Feedback: Leveraging GPT-4 Tutor Model for Hint Generation and GPT-3.5 Student Model for Hint Validation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.03780/) (2023)
- [Exploring the Potential of Large Language Models to Generate Formative Programming Feedback](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.00029/) (2023)
- [Learning to Retrieve Videos by Asking Questions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.05739/) (2022)
- [Supporting Student Decisions on Learning Recommendations: An LLM-Based Chatbot with Knowledge Graph Contextualization for Conversational Explainability and Mentoring](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.08517/) (2024)
- [Evaluating the Application of Large Language Models to Generate Feedback in Programming Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.09744/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [RAMO: Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Enhancing MOOCs Recommendations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.04925/) (2024)
- [Unimib Assistant: designing a student-friendly RAG-based chatbot for all their needs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.19554/) (2024)
- [GenAI Voice Mode in Programming Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.10596/) (2025)
- [Improving MPI Error Detection and Repair with Large Language Models and Bug References](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.02398/) (2026)
- [Enhancing LLMs through human feedback: a journey towards self-improvement](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.11267/) (2026)
- [Mapping the RAG Landscape: A Four Axis Taxonomy of Efficiency, Defense, Interactivity, and Reasoning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.01936/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper presents the use of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to improve the feedback generated by Large Language Models for programming tasks. For this purpose, corresponding lecture recordings were transcribed and made available to the Large Language Model GPT-4 as external knowledge source together with timestamps as metainformation by using RAG. The purpose of this is to prevent hallucinations and to enforce the use of the technical terms and phrases from the lecture. In an exercise platform developed to solve programming problems for an introductory programming lecture, students can request feedback on their solutions generated by GPT-4. For this task GPT-4 receives the students' code solution, the compiler output, the result of unit tests and the relevant passages from the lecture notes available through the use of RAG as additional context. The feedback generated by GPT-4 should guide students to solve problems independently and link to the lecture content, using the time stamps of the transcript as meta-information. In this way, the corresponding lecture videos can be viewed immediately at the corresponding positions. For the evaluation, students worked with the tool in a workshop and decided for each feedback whether it should be extended by RAG or not. First results based on a questionnaire and the collected usage data show that the use of RAG can improve feedback generation and is preferred by students in some situations. Due to the slower speed of feedback generation, the benefits are situation dependent.